Solarstorm x2 fault

Sorry if already covered. Out riding tonight. Lights on no problems then when stopped talkin my light went blue then off. Found out it was smoking and basically melted one of the LEDs into the light and stank of electrical burning. Anybody else had this is it new light job or can I replace LED
cheers

ritchic - Member
Sorry if already covered. Out riding tonight. Lights on no problems then when stopped talkin my light went blue then off. Found out it was smoking and basically melted one of the LEDs into the light and stank of electrical burning. Anybody else had this is it new light job or can I replace LED
cheers

ritchic - Member
Well I haven't contacted seller yet. But not holding out much hope really. I'll certainly try though. I was expecting to start this thread an be loads of people having had same problem to be honest

I noticed something weird when the chinese lights were first coming in, lots of people complained about lack of warranty and support, without ever actually trying it. I had to warranty a DX light, apart from a wee bit of communication barrier it went really smoothly. And I broke an SSC torch, they sent me replacement parts for free. But I almost didn't even bother asking!

I had a single "Bastid style" single XML go the other night, the LED now flickers very weakly if you power it, I had it on High when it went but I was moving and it had only been on for about 10 - 15 seconds, I don't think it was a thermal issue.

I opened the front of the housing and took out the reflector for a look see, and there was the tell tail whiff of "something a bit burnt" I've not investigated any further yet, the battery seems to be fine and has powered another light since, I'm wondering if it was an over-current protection failure, a short or simply a loose/broken connection, maybe even some moisture ingress...

My own 'X2' is ok thus far, but it's not done many miles yet, I'm keeping it to "Low" and "Mid" settings, I'd be interested to see the inside if you do pull it apart, see just how it carries the heat into that extruded housing, anyone else taken one to bits yet? (and taken some pictures)...

I agree I think it's as there so cheap you expect to get problems and expect to have to sort those problems yourself. Where I suppose it's maybe not the case

single and double XML lights are cheap enough that you start to think of them as disposable items, probably not all that sustainable / environmentally friendly, the cost of repairing vs the cost of replacing means you shrug, order another one and console yourself with the fact that you'll at least have a spare battery and charger now... If you can get a six months out of a ~£20 light then you are probably not going to go mad chasing down a refund, but to only get a couple of weeks use, you'll be wanting a refund, and not be buying far eastern lights again I expect.

He has replied askin if light still works to which I've replied but just waiting again now. We were only stopped for all of 3 mins I'd say if that and wasn't as if was a hot nite neither I think it must be a fault somewhere and not just the heat

In answer to Trouts question about overheating protection, according to the MTBR thread some of the users/tester have seen LED power output drop automatically when testing battery duration in static test enviroment (in the house). Can't say I've noticed mine heating up to anything like 'hot' in several weeks use, or a couple of static battery duration runs & IIRC it dropped output (my battery was very poor though).
There a bugger load of info (some useful some not so), on the MTBR thread including a disassembly on that page (Page 5) and a further disassembly on Page 10 (you used to need to register to see pictures, no idea if this is still the case)

The X2 is the first night-riding light I've bought - all my others have been home made.

First thing I did (after checking it worked) was take it apart and check it out. I was unimpressed with the thermal path from the LED to the casing, so injected a load of thermal paste (for PC heat sinks) around the LED backing plates to bridge the gap.

Then I switched it on for longer, stationary on the bench - after about 20 minutes on high the light dimmed (I assumed a thermal management function) and the casing was too hot to hold, and I was satified that the paste was doing a good job (since there were those who had reported that theirs didn't get hot).

I have used it in anger 3 times now and the only shortcoming is the aforementioned poor battery life on high, so I generally use it on low which is still plenty bright enough when coupled with a helmet light.

I bought if of eBay. Seller in uk I believe sportsinglife I think name is. I've messaged him just waiting on reply

Bought from the same seller, battery died whilst on hi for 2 mins after an hour on low beam (after being worried by reports on here)
Have contacted them and after a couple of emails they've agreed to send out a new battery.

Did have an email from them requesting pictures of the light not working!!!

Just had a closer look at the one I got and first thing is it certainly is not waterproof because I can blow through it from the lens end
so what is likely to happen when it rains is the light may be warm and the rain will cool it causing it to suck in water
I expect this to cause some failures as corrosion start to happen on the driver board over the winter.

I'm starting to wonder if some of the UK ones are of the same quality as the Fastech lights, of which i've seen no issues with so far, and are certainly waterproof on a heavy rain ride, and also cut off fine when too hot.

I'd say the forum fail rate on ssx2 is less than 1%.
So still no reason to have pants taken down on a 300 quid branded light.

300 quid? No.

My "branded" Gloworm X2 was £150 (with STW discount).

My pants are very much intact, thanks.

I knew cheaper crapper lights were available, but I was prepared to pay more for a tiny very well-built light, that still runs happily completely submerged in water, with a remote switch, small good quality battery, fuel gauge, and customisable driver.